Amit Agarwal Appointed as New Secretary of Department of Telecommunications
Amit Agarwal, a veteran 1993-batch IAS officer from Chhattisgarh cadre, has been appointed as Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications until June 2030, succeeding Neeraj Mittal. An IIT Kanpur engineering graduate, Agarwal brings extensive experience from his recent role as Secretary of Department of Pharmaceuticals since December 2024, CEO of UIDAI in 2023, and previous positions in electronics, IT, and finance ministries. He will oversee telecom policy, spectrum management, 5G/6G expansion, digital infrastructure development, and administrative control over BSNL and MTNL.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Veteran bureaucrat Amit Agarwal has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications, marking a significant leadership transition in India's telecom sector. The appointment, announced in November, will see Agarwal serve in this crucial role until June 2030.
Key Appointment Details
| Parameter: | Details |
|---|---|
| Appointee: | Amit Agarwal, IAS |
| Position: | Secretary, Department of Telecommunications |
| Term Duration: | Until June 2030 |
| Predecessor: | Neeraj Mittal |
| Batch & Cadre: | 1993-batch IAS, Chhattisgarh cadre |
Agarwal succeeds Neeraj Mittal, who has been transferred to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas as Secretary. This transition comes at a critical time when India's telecommunications sector is experiencing rapid technological advancement and policy evolution.
Scope of Responsibilities
The Department of Telecommunications oversees several critical areas that will fall under Agarwal's purview:
- Policy Framework: Telecom policy formulation and implementation
- Spectrum Management: Allocation and management of telecom spectrum
- Technology Advancement: 5G and 6G network expansion initiatives
- Digital Infrastructure: Development of nationwide digital infrastructure
- PSU Oversight: Administrative control over Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL)
- Fund Management: Managing the Digital Bharat Nidhi
- Regulatory Coordination: Close coordination with independent regulator TRAI
Professional Background
Agarwal brings extensive administrative experience across multiple critical sectors. Most recently, he served as Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals from December 2024, where he spearheaded innovation-focused initiatives, including the implementation of a major research funding scheme.
| Previous Role: | Duration & Key Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals: | December 2024 - Led innovation initiatives and research funding |
| CEO, Unique Identification Authority of India: | 2023 - Oversaw Aadhaar digital identity programme |
| Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & IT: | Previous posting |
| Additional Secretary & Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance: | Previous postings |
In 2023, Agarwal took charge as the CEO of the Unique Identification Authority of India, where he oversaw the Aadhaar digital identity programme. His experience with digital identity systems and technology infrastructure positions him well for managing India's evolving telecommunications landscape.
Educational Qualifications
Agarwal holds an engineering degree from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, providing him with a strong technical foundation that complements his administrative expertise. As a 1993-batch Indian Administrative Service officer from the Chhattisgarh cadre, he brings over three decades of public service experience to his new role.
The appointment reflects the government's focus on bringing experienced administrators with technology and policy backgrounds to lead critical infrastructure sectors during India's digital transformation phase.
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